Ohio marathoners cross Indy 500 finish line

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Joe Briseno, of Springfield Ill., leads a group of the approximately 35 runners from the 2013 Boston Marathon, that were unable to finish the race due to the tragic bombings, to complete the distance by crossing finish line at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway before the start of the 97th Indianapolis 500 auto race. ASSOCIATED PRESSEnlarge

INDIANAPOLIS — Dozens of runners unable to complete the Boston Marathon due to the bombings finished their runs over the famed bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway just before the Indianapolis 500 today.

Speedway officials say at least three Ohioans are taking part in today's run. They include Jennifer Black of Loveland, Susan Sugar of Columbus and Lori Bickel of Worthington. Black is the twin sister of former U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt.

The runners started in Turn 4 and finished on the front stretch, where they were cheered on by a crowd of thousands of people who turned out to see the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” They finished less than 10 minutes before the command to start the engines.

All of the runners were pulled off the Boston Marathon course by officials after the bombings near the finish line on Boylston Street on April 15.

Speedway officials extended an invitation to finish on Sunday to the Boston Athletic Association, which contacted runners unable to finish from Indiana and the surrounding states.

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